Debbie Allen

Allen joined the already popular "Cosby Show" spin-off, "A Different World" (NBC, 1987-93), during its second season as producer and primary director. Under her guidance, the show found its focus, hit its stride and became a ratings powerhouse. Along with Cosby, Allen became one of contemporary TV's leading proponents of Black bourgeois values. She has numerous directing credits on such family-oriented sitcoms as "The Cosby Show", "Family Ties", and "The Sinbad Show". She also helmed the 1990 NBC pilot for the hit sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". Allen also proved adept as a director of hour long TV drama with two episodes of "Quantum Leap".